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[paged]

hit me with your best shot ❢ meme continuations ❢ aus ❢ idek

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[ She scoffs at that wink but ends up laughing and grinning anyway. Not bad, Frank, not bad.

She shrugs, ]

I know it's considered a pretty useless degree but I'm going for a BA in English. I know I want to write. Or at least get a job as an editor at a publishing house. I feel like that kind of work matters a lot when you're basically helping to get ideas out there to people.

[endlesswar]

[Their brief acquaintance is established by Karen accepting that Frank has little to no shame. Knowing that she liked the wink anyway is a good sign in his book.]

Editor huh? What about a reporter? That's a sure way to be a voice of the people. You're not afraid to speak up.

[Another light touch on her arm as he guides her to a place with a flying Italian flag and faux columns framing the door.]

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Now you're just talking about a good way for me to get shot. Write some editorial that pisses someone off and that's all it takes.

[ But hey, at least the restaurant looks nice from the outside. The smells coming from it as they get closer just makes her stomach growl. ]

[endlesswar]

Hey, I will defend your right to say whatever you like and the rights of the dick head who thinks bullets are an extension of his penis.

[Even as he's saying awful words that would make his Mama smack him, he's holding the door open for Karen to let her in.]

We got a table for two for Frank.

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[ That gets another laugh from him, unable to help it. She gives his other arm a smack as she walks in, ]

I can't believe you just said that out loud.

[ But she waits for him by the door, turning back to him, surprised once again, ]

You made reservations?

[endlesswar]

It's the truth, isn't it?

[He steps in behind her. The establishment is warm, small. The wall is covered in framed photographs of little villas and fountains. At a table in the back is the matriarch in her apron and glasses folding napkins. The host is a thin young man that leads them in. They're in the middle of the dinner crowd and sure enough, there's a table waiting for them.]

You have to in a place like this.

[The host holds her chair out for her. Frank waits until she's seated to sit himself.]

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[ Instantly, she's charmed by it all. It's cozy and inviting. And everything she sees on the other tables looks amazing. She thanks the host as she sits down and continues to look around the place from her chair, ]

I can't believe I had no idea this was here...

[endlesswar]

There are plenty a places. Just gotta know where to look.

[Seated now they're given two menus by their host. The waitress will be along.]

Don't let the whole list of things deter you from your lasagna.

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[ She grins as she looks at the menu, shaking her head, ]

But shrimp alfredo... Mmm, tiramisu sounds so good. All of this sounds so good. This was a mistake, coming here. They'll have to roll me out at this rate.

[endlesswar]

It would be my pleasure to roll you back.

[The waitress comes around. She has a brief conversation with Mama at the table. It's her niece. She is attentive and promises to bring them waters. Frank asks for a red wine.]

Are you gonna need some time, Karen?

[Frank already knows what he wants. And he grins at her across the table.]

[paged]

Ha! You say that now.

[ For the waitress, she quickly asks for some white wine. For the rest, her stomach growls angrily at her as she reads over the different items. ]

Hmmm. I think I want to start with a salad...

[endlesswar]

[His head tilts to one side and he squints a bit before nodding.]

Yeah. I think I could take you just fine.

[That's all he'll say on the matter.]

Salad is a decent place to start. Ease on into it. You're not gonna fill up on salad and bread though. That's a rookie move. You're better than that.

[And just as he speaks they get their bread. Fresh and hot.]

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[ She sticks her tongue at him for that first bit, just a little, before she could even stop herself for the action.

At the latter, that gets more of a giggle, Karen shaking her head, ]

I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. It's going to take a lot to fill me up.

[ She sets her menu down to take a piece of bread, tyvm. ]

[endlesswar]

[And it's charming. Utterly charming. He's very into it. Frank takes a sip of his water.]

That long? Is that because you're a busy student or you just paid rent.

[Loving little jab there. And he's not going to take a slice of bread. All that cardio has really made him hungry over all.]

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[ Around a mouthful of bread, ]

Wow, are you judging me?

[ Have a jab right back, sir. ]

[endlesswar]

[His face scrunches up almost comically in a no before he can verbalize. That's some good, fresh and dense bread.]

Just a question. I'm good on mine for a bit. I'm more than happy to foot the bill in the name of your salvaged ears and offended tastes.

[paged]

[ She's shaking her head the moment he mentions getting the bill, swallowing her bit of bread before answering, ]

Thank you but no. I can pay for my own food.

[ She'll just have ramen or bologna sandwiches for the next week or so. It'll be worth it if the food tastes as good as it smells. ]

[endlesswar]

What kind of dates are you used to going on? Let me do it. Your independence and principles will go unchallenged.

[He has the good sense to say this before shoving his mouth with another bite.]

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[ She has to laugh because she's never really met a guy that was insistent about paying for her half. And any guy that was more traditional, was a lot ruder about it. ]

So, you're one of those traditional guys, then? You always pay for a girl's food when you go out?

[endlesswar]

Sorta. Yeah. I mean, I asked you out. And I'm putting up my favorite Italian outside of my Nonna's kitchen up for your scrutiny. Wouldn't be fair to just lug you some place and have you pay for it without knowing if you'll like it or not.

[And the smug son of a gun across the table grins and nudges the bread basket a smidge closer to her.]

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[ She takes another bite of bread, raising her brows in a bit of a challenge. ]

If I like it, I'll pay for it. If I don't, then you can.

That's a fair enough compromise.

[endlesswar]

Okay, okay.

[Hard to laugh with your mouth full so his shoulders just sake.]

It's a deal. Would you like to shake on it, Karen?

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[ She nods, holding out a hand for him to shake, the other still holding her bread and mouth full once again. ]

[endlesswar]

[Trying to muster up a straight face is really hard with or without a full mouth. Frank shakes her hand slowly, solemnly three times.]

This requires brutal honesty. I hope you're up to the challenge.

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[ She tries not to spurt out her water when he says that, swallowing it down before licking her lips, ]

I think I can manage it.

[ Just a little cough. ]